Pakistani extremists have no respect for the country's fragile democracy. They showed that last December by assassinating opposition leader and two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and again at the weekend with the truck-bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad's government and diplomatic district. Dozens of people, foreigners among them, died in the blast, which came just hours after new president and Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari told parliament that terrorism must be rooted out. The militants' message is plain: if their demands are not met, they will have no qualms about using force and violence against whoever stands in their way.
Islamist groups linked to terrorist Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taleban based in lawless border regions with Afghanistan are obvious suspects. Support for the US-led 'war on terror' by Mr Zardari's democratically elected government and his predecessor, one-time military dictator Pervez Musharraf, have stoked extremist fervour. Authorities are in a difficult position: Muslim fundamentalism is on the rise and it must at all costs be tackled to preserve the moderate, secular constitution; but peace overtures have been rejected and the military has had little success in flushing out extremists hiding in remote tribal areas.
US rocket attacks and a rare ground raid from Afghanistan last month enraged Pakistanis. Mr Zardari's visit to Washington this week - his first foreign trip since assuming the presidency this month - is perceived as an effort to mend fences. Militants had obviously timed Saturday's blast to show disapproval.
Pakistan is often described as the world's most dangerous place. The myriad ethnic, political and religious extremists and the presence of terrorists, coupled with questions about the security of its nuclear weapons, are matters of global concern. Mr Zardari's difficulties are in such circumstances not purely domestic.
Foreign help beyond the US is urgently needed. A solution lies in concerted military co-operation and the building of the economy, democratic institutions and infrastructure to improve lives in needy areas. Without such action, Pakistanis - and the world - will suffer.
